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Council hears commercial projects update; approves second 2026 budget amendment to fund sustainability position
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Summary
Economic development staff updated council on retail openings, redevelopment projects and business attraction; council approved on first reading a budget amendment adding $173,734 for sustainability initiatives tied to an EPA-related grant and implementation of the city's environmental sustainability master plan.
Economic development director Adam Krueger presented the commercial projects quarterly update, highlighting recent retail openings, new employers, and redevelopment activity.
Krueger noted retailers and projects including a WinCo Foods store, a planned Wing Shack replacing a former tenant, progress and remediation work at the Thornton Shopping Center, and new or expanding employers that together produced more than 1,000 jobs across a recent 15-month window. He described ongoing work on a regulatory-justice initiative aimed at reducing barriers for small businesses and previewed forthcoming quarterly financial trend information.
Rob Colson, deputy city manager, presented the second amendment to the 2026 budget. The amendment adds $173,734 to fund staffing, training and software to support sustainability initiatives tied to a DOCTOR COG/EPA subaward program; the city previously applied for a potential allocation of up to $1.2 million to spend through 2029 and will focus the position on implementing the environmental sustainability master plan, especially building-decarbonization requirements. Council members asked clarifying questions and the ordinance adopting the second amendment passed on first reading by unanimous vote.
Council was also notified of upcoming community events and an upcoming quarterly finance update slated for May 26.
